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Studies of Crowing Rooster and Reclining Figures [recto and verso]

John Flaxman

1788

graphite

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism 18th Century

Dominant colour

Studies of Crowing Rooster and Reclining Figures [recto and verso] is a 1788 graphite by John Flaxman, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: John Flaxman
When & what style?: 1788 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketchbook page is covered in quick, loose pencil drawings. On the left side, there’s a rooster standing on one leg, its feathers drawn in fast, wavy lines. Below it, a few more roosters are tangled in branches with berries. On the right, people are reclining on couches or chairs, their poses relaxed but drawn with simple, sketchy strokes. The artist didn’t focus on details—just the basic shapes and movement. The lines feel hurried, like they were drawn fast to capture ideas rather than perfect images. Next, check out Romanticism to see how this sketch fits into that art movement.